Exercise After a Hair Restoration Surgery

It’s been about three weeks since my second hair transplant in Los Angeles. As of this moment, when I bend my neck, there’s a tightness and tension on the back of my head (donor area). Can you tell me if this tightness will ever go away and be back to the way it was before my operation? I really want to be back in the gym doing my jump ropes and abs.

A:

I’d say to give it about three weeks and begin more gentle activities such as jogging, brisk walking, bike riding, or push-ups. As long as you don’t stretch that donor area by looking down (this is important), you ought to be OK.

Activities to stay away from four to six weeks after a hair transplant: wrestling, flag football, basketball, boxing, abs exercises, and surfing or boogie boarding. Make sure there isn’t much strain on the donor area. It’s sensitive and requires protection and non-contact to heal.

Remember: Activities which increase tension between the edges of the healing wound in the donor area, such as lifting barbells or weights and other exercises involving intense bending of the neck are to be avoided. You should wait at least six months for this type of exercise in order to prevent reopening of the wound or stretching and widening of the donor scar.